Those new to the English language in Fort Worth now have a practical resource for honing their skills. The city's public library system is offering adult ESL Read Out Loud classes for learning to navigate the complexities of English speaking and reading. As many learners can attest, speaking a second language is often a barricade, one that these classes aim to dismantle.
Senior librarian Myriam Hernandez emphasized the difficulty that comes with deciphering the multifaceted nature of English words. "From personal experience, getting the confidence to speak a second language is very difficult as we (English learners) think we have to speak perfectly right away to be understood by others," Hernandez said, as per the City of Fort Worth. She continued, emphasizing the classes' goal: "The main focus of our English Conversation Classes is to create a safe space for students to practice what they know and to help them become confident when speaking English, even when they make mistakes."
These sessions are not confined to a single location, with three libraries across the city opening their doors for in-person practice: Meadowbrook Branch Library hosts at 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, La Gran Biblioteca at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, and Riverside Branch Library at noon on Saturdays. A digital alternative exists for those unable to attend in person, offered through a Zoom session each Friday from 1-2 p.m. This flexibility reflects an embracing of both the technological and the tangible in the quest for language proficiency.
"This is a great program that complements our English Conversation classes," Hernandez added, shining light on the advanced ESL students who join to expand their vocabulary and advance their reading skills. In her words, "We review and read together one-page articles every week. We go over vocabulary words found on the article and then do some reading comprehension activities together." The classes dissect word forms, an essential building block for language learners to distinguish between the likes of adverbs, adjectives, nouns, and verbs.
